Hey Travelers, Did You Hear About The REAL ID?

We love to keep our community on their toes before a flight whether it's Travel tips, Best Luggage Sets, Etc. Now here is what you need to know about The Real ID, Homeland Security, and TSA.

The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. Phase 4 of this act changes ID procedures, the REAL ID must be used when boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. Yes, Soon your regular State ID alone will not be good enough to get on even a Domestic Flight.

According to the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) "Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. The purposes covered by the Act are: accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and, no sooner than 2016, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.

DHS is committed to enforcing the REAL ID Act in accordance with the phased enforcement schedule and regulatory timeframes and is not inclined to grant additional extensions to any states that are not both committed to achieving full compliance and making substantial and documented progress in satisfying any unmet requirements. It has been 12 years since the REAL ID Act was passed and half of all the states have already met the REAL ID minimum standards. It is time that the remaining jurisdictions turn their commitments to secure identification into action."

In some states, a State ID will no longer valid for domestic travel, thanks to the Real ID Act. To obtain a Real ID you must contact your state Department of Motor Vehicles; requirements do differ from state to state. All states are currently in the process of implementing Real ID programs. Twenty-eight states and territories are already fully compliant and 26 have been granted extensions through Oct. 10, 2018. To be safe before you book your trip check on the Real Id Laws in the state you are traveling to. Residents of a state that has transitioned to issuing Real IDs have the option to go in and get a new compliant license or use their passport when they fly. (If you go to the airport without proper ID, you may still be allowed to fly if the TSA can confirm your identity using a public database. If your identity cannot be verified, you will not be allowed through security.)

Travelers with driver's licenses issued by a state that has been granted an extension will still be able to use their driver's licenses in the interim. But starting Oct. 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a Real ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of ID, for domestic air travel.